Disorderly Persons Offense Charges Lawyer in New Jersey

What is a disorderly persons offense? Being accused of a disorderly persons offense may seem like a minor problem at first. But a conviction can mean jail time, expensive fines, and a record that follows you around for the rest of your life. If you have been charged with such an offense, you need to speak with an experienced New Jersey disorderly persons offense attorney right away to learn about your rights.

What Is a Disorderly Persons Offense?

At the Law Office of Jason A. Volet, our highly respected defense attorney has an extensive track record of handling more than 2,000 criminal cases in his career. As a former criminal prosecutor in Monmouth County, Jason Volet has an insider’s perspective on how disorderly persons cases are handled. He will work quickly to craft a smart defense and explore all your options for getting the charges reduced or dropped. If you have been accused of a disorderly persons or petty disorderly persons offense in New Jersey, contact our law firm today for a free case consultation. Our legal team will listen to your story, explain your options, and keep everything you share with us confidential.

Is a Disorderly Persons Offense Considered a Criminal Offense in New Jersey?

Both disorderly persons offenses and petty disorderly persons offenses NJ are considered “petty offenses and are not crimes,” according to New Jersey law. This means: “There shall be no right to indictment by a grand jury nor any right to trial by jury on such offenses. Conviction of such offenses shall not give rise to any disability or legal disadvantage based on conviction of a crime.”  However, that doesn’t mean that a disorderly persons conviction won’t continue to haunt a person even after the sentence is carried out. Such a conviction can still show up on a background check, hindering a person’s ability to find a job or accomplish other goals. contact us to learn about your NJ disorderly persons offense background check.

Is a disorderly persons offense a misdemeanor in NJ?

In New Jersey, a “disorderly persons offense” is the term used to describe a misdemeanor. More serious felony offenses are described as “indictable offenses.”

Can You Get Jail Time for a Disorderly Persons Offense?

Do not let anyone tell you that being charged with a disorderly persons offense is no big deal. Even a petty disorderly persons offense conviction can result in jail time. When facing a charge like this, you should know that:

• The maximum sentence for anyone convicted of a disorderly persons offense is six months in jail. Disorderly persons offenses may include such actions as simple assault, resisting arrest.
• The maximum sentence for anyone convicted of a petty disorderly persons offense is 30 days in jail.  Petty disorderly persons offenses may include such actions as disorderly conduct, trespassing, or harassment.

It is crucial that you have a knowledgeable disorderly persons lawyer representing you against any disorderly persons charge. You should never try to negotiate with the prosecutor on your own or accept a plea deal without speaking to an experienced disorderly persons offense attorney. Set up a free consultation with Jason Volet today to discuss the details of your case and learn how our experienced attorneys can help.

What Are the Fines for a Disorderly Persons Conviction in New Jersey?

In addition to spending time in jail, a defendant who is convicted of a disorderly persons offense may be ordered to pay:

• A fine of up to $1,000 for a disorderly persons offense or $500 for a petty disorderly persons offense
• A $75 assessment for the Safe Neighborhood Services Fund
• A $50 assessment for the Victims of Crime Compensation Board
• Court costs of $33

Unfortunately, even after a person has “paid their debt to society,” a conviction can continue to cost them down the road when it shows up on background checks for employment, school, housing, etc. This is why you can’t afford to face misdemeanor charges without an attorney on your side who understands what’s at stake and how the system works.

Let Our Experienced New Jersey Disorderly Persons Defense Attorney Help You

Your first call after an arrest should be to an attorney or to a family member who can arrange for an attorney for you. It is important that you have strong representation from the very start of your case, so you understand your rights and your legal options.

You may not realize it, but there are often many opportunities before a case gets to trial in a municipal court to argue for the charges against you to be reduced or dropped. Our savvy defense team will identify those opportunities and fight for you every step of the way. When you schedule a free consultation with the Law Office of Jason A. Volet, you will find a loyal legal team ready to talk through your case in detail and craft a smart defense strategy for you. You can trust our New Jersey disorderly persons law firm to:

• Thoroughly explain your rights and protect you from law enforcement officers and prosecutors who may try to trick you or pressure you into saying or doing something that could be used against you
• Build a comprehensive defense strategy that accounts for any tactics the prosecution may try to employ before or during trial
• Identify any opportunities to apply for diversionary programs to avoid having a conviction on your record
• Treat you and your family with the utmost respect and compassion during this stressful and scary time

Every person has the right to be presumed innocent unless the prosecution can prove otherwise. Our disorderly offense law firm makes sure the prosecutor’s job is never easy. We understand that for our clients, their freedom, finances, and future hang in the balance. So we fight with everything we have to protect that. Set up a free and confidential case consultation with our disorderly persons offense lawyer today by calling or filling out our online contact form. Our respected New Jersey disorderly person offense lawyer is committed to standing up for the rights of people charged with disorderly persons offenses in Freehold, Neptune, Marlboro, Middletown, Wall Township, Manalapan, Howell, Rumson, Red Bank, Ocean Township, Colts Neck, Holmdel, Asbury Park, and throughout Monmouth County.